YouTube and Emirates Your Film Festival Competition in Full Swing

Dubai, (PressExposure) March 01, 2012 -- Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, and YouTube, partners on Your Film Festival, reported today the addition of acclaimed actor Michael Fassbender to the project. Fassbender will serve as a competition film juror in Venice and co-executive producer of the winner's next film along with renowned director Ridley Scott.

Your Film Festival [http://www.youtube.com/yourfilmfestival], a global competition to discover the world's best storytellers invites directors, producers and writers from around the world to submit a 15-minute, story-driven video of any format, style and genre, to youtube.com/yourfilmfestival, until 31 March 2012. Scott Free (the production company of famed director Ridley Scott) will narrow down the submissions to 50 semi-finalists in the summer of 2012.

The 50 videos will then be available to the global YouTube community who will be able to cast their votes, choosing 10 finalists. These 10 finalists will travel to Italy on Emirates via Dubai, where their work will screen at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in September 2012. A grand prize winner will selected by a special jury which includes Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender and awarded a $500,000 YouTube original production grant to work with Scott Free, to create a brand new work.

"I was delighted to join this partnership alongside Ridley, YouTube, Venice, and Emirates," said Fassbender. "I've worked with incredible storytellers before and am excited to help find the next great one through Your Film Festival." His invitation to the YouTube community can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19FahitJjs.

Fassbender's involvement will mark a reunion of sorts, as his next film will be Ridley Scott's return to the director's chair, the highly anticipated 'Prometheus'. Fassbender will also mark his return to Venice Film Festival since winning Best Actor for his performance in 'Shame' which also garnered him a Golden-Globe nomination.
Emirates [http://www.emirates.com/], who is defining the future of air travel with innovative products like its A380 On Board Lounges and On Board Shower Spas and its award winning in-flight entertainment system ice, is a proud partner with YouTube's Your Film Festival. A renowned sponsor of sports activities around the globe, Emirates has broadened its scope to include the cultural connecting medium of film.
"Through our sponsorship of Your Film Festival we are supporting the journey of emerging filmmakers through YouTube's innovative entertainment platform," said Sir Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates airline and Group. "The foundation of the Emirates brand is connecting people. Teaming up with YouTube and acting as a cultural bridge connecting thoughts, ideas and dreams through Your Film Festival, is a natural extension of our brand."
More information can be found at youtube.com/yourfilmfestival. Film submissions can be made until 31 March 2012.
ENDS-
Emirates Media Contact:
Chiara Sarzi Amadè
Emirates Corporate Communications
5th Floor
New EGHQ
Opposite DXB Airport
P O Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+971 4) 7082171[http://www.emirates.com]

About Emirates

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has received more than 500 international awards and accolades for excellence. Emirates flies to 121 destinations in 72 countries across six continents and is the world's largest airline in available seat kilometres. Operating 169 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including an industry leading 20 A380s, Emirates has orders for an additional 236 aircraft, worth more than USD$84 billion. For more information please visit [http://www.emirates.com].

About YouTube
YouTube is the world's most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share original videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.